Price Madness: NCAA Men’s Final Four Ticket Trends
For the second time in history, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four will feature all No. 1 seeds. This Saturday, April 5, the Auburn Tigers will face the Florida Gators, while the Duke Blue Devils take on the Houston Cougars at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. These elite matchups, combined with close travel proximity for these Southern schools and fan bases, have driven ticket demand, pushing the Average Ticket Price (ATP) to new heights. Here’s a look at the numbers behind this year’s historic showdown.
The presence of four No. 1 seeds has created the perfect storm for high ticket prices, though demand has fluctuated leading up to game day.
Ticket prices were generally stable before surging once fans knew the Final Four would feature all No. 1 seeds. At 8 Days to Event (DTE), with no teams officially qualified, ATP was $396.45 – down 7% from 2024. By the next day (7 DTE), ATP increased 21% ($479.87) – 33.5% higher than 2024 once fans knew Florida and Duke were advancing. The biggest jump came at 6 DTE, when the Final Four teams were officially decided. ATP increased 38% ($662.85) from the previous day – a 62% increase from 2024. This marked the largest single-day price jump, both compared to the previous day and year-over-year, in the two weeks leading up to the event.
Several factors were fueling this demand. The historic nature of the matchups, the battle to determine the best of the No. 1s, and the ease of travel for fans of these Southern schools have all contributed to the surge in ATP. Adding to the frenzy, the Houston Cougars bring a strong local presence, further driving demand as they compete in their home state of Texas. When top-seeded teams collide, even casual fans turn into serious buyers, heightening competition in the resale market and pushing ticket prices even higher.
Despite the presence of all No. 1 seeds, ticket sales have continued to decline after Tuesday (4 DTE), signaling a shift in demand that was not anticipated. As of Thursday, April 3, the ATP for Final Four tickets has reached $677.18 – a 33% decrease from the 2024 Final Four games at 2 DTE. There are several reasons why this is occurring:
There are currently over 5,000 tickets still available on secondary platforms, leading to increased competition among resellers. As sellers adjust to move inventory, ATP naturally drops. As the event approaches, more tickets are being sold – but at lower prices – as the market becomes dominated by casual fans and bargain hunters who tend to wait for last-minute deals.
Additionally, UConn’s bid for a repeat title in 2024 fueled a surge in late-stage demand, which kept prices high closer to the event. This year, without a comparable narrative, demand is behaving more traditionally, with ATP declining as ticket availability increases.
The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four is set to be one for the history books, and ticket prices reflect the magnitude of the moment. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a business looking to make the most of the tournament’s unparalleled exposure, understanding ATP trends ensures you stay ahead in the live event marketplace.
